Bed commode



Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to a container for receiving waste eliminations from human bodies. In its more particular aspects, the invention is directed to a container of the type mentioned which is adapted for use by bedridden patients.

It is a well known fact that the use of conven-v tional bedpans results in great discomfort to patients as well as considerable inconvenience to nurses or other attendants. In addition, when the patient has undergone an abdominal operation and must raise his body to permit the posi-r tioningv of the conventional bedpan, there is grave danger of breaking the wound open. When patients are in weakened conditions such that they are unable to lift themselves while the bedpan is being applied, the difficult task of lifting the patient must be performed by the nurses. Further, the possibility of soiling the bed and the linens is ever present when the conventional bedpan is employed. It is, therefore, the outstanding object of the invention to provide a waste receiver which will overcome the above enumerated objections.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a bedpan which will t into a recess formed in a mattress in order that the patient may lie in a natural horizontal position when using the same.

It is a further object of the invention to form the bedpan of rubber or similar materials so that the same will be flexible as well as waterproof.

An object of the invention also rests in providing a rubber bedpan having a wide, one-piece ange at the upper edge thereof, the flange forming a protective apron or guard to prevent the soiling of the mattress and associated bed clothing. By constructing the pan and the apron of rubber, both can be molded at once, thus lowering the manufacturing' cost as well as eliminating objectionable seams or shoulders. After the bedpan has been used, the apron or flange is folded over the open top of the pan to prevent the escape of objectionable odors during the time the pan is being transported from the sick room.

For al further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a mattress provided with an opening to receive a bedpan formed in accordance with the present invention, the opening being closed by a removable plug;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the mattress and the plug positioned in the opening;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the mattress with the bedpan positioned in the opening ready for use;

Fig. 4 is also a similar view showing the flange or apron folded over the open top of the pan;

Fig. 5 isa vertical transverse sectional view on the plane indicated by the line V-V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the bedp-an with the ange in extended position;

Fig. '7 is a similar View with the ange in a folded position.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral l designates the mattress. This member may be either the inner spring type or the padded type and is of usual form except that av rectangular opening 2 extends therethrough. The opening is preferably vdisposed to one side of the longitudinal center of the mattress and directly on the transverse center. This arrangement assists in the operation of the device and the opening may be placed at the most convenient side of the bed by merely shifting the mattress. Normally the opening 2 is closed by a removable plug 3 which is constructed of the same material as the mattress and of a size substantially equal to that of the opening. When the plug is thus positioned, the comfort of the user of the mattress will not be affected. A

handle 4 is provided on the upper surface of the plug to assist in removing the same from the opening.

The receiver or bed commode 5 forming the subject matter of the invention is shaped similar to the plug 3 to also be removably received by the opening 2. The receiver 5 includes a body 6 having integral side, end and bottom walls l, 8 and 9 respectively. The body 6 is open at the top and the upper edges of the side and end walls are provided with a flange-like apron ID. The latter member extends completely around the open top of the body and serves to protect the mattress and bed clothing when the device is in use. The body and flange are constructed of waterproof material, preferably rubber, the flange being relatively thin and fiexible so that when in use, it will not be uncomfortable or otherwise annoy the patient. The use of rubber is desirable also because it may be washed or boiled to keep the article in a sterile condition.

The body 6 of the commode is made thicker than the flange I0 torender the same semirigid to facilitate handling and is reenforced, in the present instance, with a thin, pan-like metallic core Il. The core may be eliminated, if desired, by constructing the body of a harder rubber. While the body and the ange may be made separate and joined together by vulcanizing, they are preferably molded in one piece to avoid the presence of objectionable joints or shoulders.

After the device has been used, the flexible apron member may be folded, as shown. in Figs. 4, 5 and '7, to a position closing the open top of the body 6. Handle sections I3 are secured at one of their ends to the outer Sides of the Walls 1, the free ends of the sections being provided with cooperative fastener members I4 which connect the free ends to form a handle following the flange folding operation. By grasping the connected handle sections, the commode can be lifted from the opening and carried from the sick room. The handle sections I3 are also formed of rubber and may either be attached to the body by cementing or vulcanizing or they may be molded integral with the body and flange.

While I have shown and described my invention in its preferred form, I do not Wish to be limited to the disclosure but rather by the scope of the following claims.

'What is claimed is:

1. A bed commode comprising a body having an open top and integral bottom and side walls, a protective apron projecting from the upper edges of said side Walls, said apron being foldable to cover the open top of said body, foldable handle sections provided on the outer sides of opposed side walls of said body, and means for connecting the ends of said sections together.

2. An article of the character described comprising a molded rubber body having a rectangu lar pan-like metallic core embedded therein, and a sheet-like apron connected at its central portion with the upper edge of said body.

3. An article of the character described comprising an integral rubber member including a thin sheet-like apron having a rectangular opening formed at the center thereof, a panshaped body conforming in outline to said opening and connected at its upper edges to the edges thereof, said apron being foldable to close the open top of said body, handle sections secured to opposite sides of said body, and means for connecting the free ends of said handle sections together tol form a complete handle when said apron is folded.

4. A bed pan comprising an integral rubber member including a thin sheet-like apron having an opening at its central portion, a panshaped body conforming in outline to said opening and connected at its upper edges to the edges thereof, said apron being foldable to close the open top of said body, handle sections secured to opposite sides of said body, and means for connecting the free ends of said handle sections to form a complete handle when said apron is folded.

5. A bed pan comprising an integral rubber member having a thin sheet-like apron With an opening at its central portion, a pan-shaped body conforming in outline to said opening and con nected at its upper edges to the edges thereof, said apron being foldable to close the open top of said body, and a handle carried by said body, said handle being movable to a position providing complete access to the interior of said body when said bed pan is operatively disposed in a mattress.

JOSEPH E. BEERY. 

